Top Ten Tuesday is an original feature/weekly meme created at The Broke and the Bookish.
This week's topic is:
Top Ten Books for Halloween
Kayla's skipping this week, since scary books aren't her forte. Truthfully they're not exactly mine, either, but I shall try my best!
1. Four Past Midnight by Stephen KingMy boyfriend's only just got me into King, and while I'm not a huge fan of his endings (big surprise), he definitely has a way with the creep factor, doesn't he? It's not often I get legitimately unnerved by a book, but one story in particular in here - The Library Policeman gave me the willies enough that I had to watch something cheery before bed. Well, the first half of it, anyway.
2. House of Leaves by Mark Z. DanielewskiIf I could ever recommend a book for its creep and odd factor, it would be House of Leaves. It's long, and has its dry spots, but the core story is relentlessly interesting and genuinely unnerving. I have an unreasonable affection for this book, possibly because it's one of the few that could be described as an actual experience. For the best effect, try reading with Poe's Haunted playing in the background. She's the author's sister, and created a whole album to go along with her brother's book. It's all very awesome!
3. Road to Madness by H.P. Lovecraft
It should go without saying that Lovecraft is an excellent Halloween mood-setter. Are there creepier stories anywhere? If there are, I haven't read them.
4. The Hunter by L.J. SmithOkay, so, yes this is paranormal romance, but the first time I read this book as a kid? SO CREEPED OUT I CAN'T EVEN TELL YOU. Reading at night about phantom footsteps on the roof and windows slamming shut and a clock striking twelve...especially when your father COLLECTS cuckoo clocks that like to strike right on cue... *shudder* That particular sequence still creeps me out if I read it at night.
5. Wrong Number by R.L. StineOkay, okay, he's a terrible writer, but I spent the late '90's lost in Fear Street, and when you're like eight - ten years old, this is the scariest shit ever. This one sticks out in my mind even now as the creepiest of the Fear Street bunch. I'll admit it, I had to sleep with my mom the night I read this. SO CREEPY. Stine's Halloween Party is a close runner-up, though!
6. Night Shift by Stephen King
My King experience is limited to the two books on this list, but hey, he's seasonally appropriate, and while Night Shift has an abundance of misses, the hits are home runs. His best stories aren't about monsters, they're about humans - their cruelties, their failings, and the horrific situations we can find ourselves in in everyday life. My favorite? The final story The Woman in the Room. That was truly horrifying.
7. The Taking by Dean KoontzThe Taking is my very favorite Koontz book, probably because it reminds me of my very favorite creepy game series, Silent Hill. It's got a great mood, and interesting themes and ideas. And did I mention it reminds me of Silent Hill, which is the best video game series ever?
8. Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark series by Alvin SchwartzIf there's a better collection of all the classic scary stories and urban legends that we learned fear and love as kids, I don't know of it. In elementary school, we traded stories from this series like Pokemon cards, and our teachers read the books aloud in class. Everyone liked this series, and with good reason. Even now, this is a nostalgic favorite.
9. Tales for the Midnight Hour by J.B. StamperThis is sort of an early, poor-man's Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark, but its got a few decent shorts. However, I still have this book, and not long ago forced Kayla to read it for one story that can still creep me out if I read it late at night in front of an open window. It's called The Puzzle, and if you haven't read it, you need to. Now. CREEPY CITY.
10. Tales of the Slayer vol. 1Laugh if you want, but while this book isn't creepy, it's definitely got its share of gruesome and actually quite fascinating stories. It's all about the Slayers through history, before Buffy, and in this first installment, we get short stories featuring Elizabeth Bathory, murderous werewolf Spartans, and Marie Antoinette. Very few of the tales are light-hearted, and most play out like short horror stories. Either way, they're all very good, and a great Halloween read.
Bonus Halloween Treats
Game: Silent Hill 2Scary at any time of the year, but in October with the lights off and the volume high? I'm pretty sure you'll pee yourself. I would. If you're looking for a genuinely scary in-house experience over Halloween, pick up Silent Hill 2. Scariest game of all time.
I remember exacting revenge on someone who stole a bunch of my toys (as a kid ;)) by telling them stories from "Scary Stories"!
ReplyDeleteI don't remember much about any of the Fear Street plots; I remember a series of books in which a guy dressed as Santa Claus stalked teenage girls around Halloween, but that's about it.
I've read and like King, but I wasn't aware he had short stories. Then again I don't hunt his stuff down, people just recommend given books.
Best punishment ever!
ReplyDeleteOh, that was the Silent Night series. I only vaguely remember them, but hearing the plot summarized that way makes me laugh. His ideas were kinda spotty, lol.
Yeah! Actually, ust from reading his novellas, I think short stories are probably how I'd like King best. I've yet to read one of his novels, but even the novellas had me yelling "GET ON WITH IT." But if you liked his books, you'll like his shorts, too. They're pretty cool.
Oh my gosh! I remember Wrong Number!! Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark was another fave of mine. I have House of Leaves on my shelf and need to read it..I've heard that it really is odd and very involved!
ReplyDeleteWow, I haven't read any of these but they all look suitably horrifying!
ReplyDeleteI love Dean Koontz. Guy has written some seriously strange and creepy stuff!
ReplyDeleteI think I want to read House of Leaves now!
I used to read Fear Street books all the time. Your list has makes me want to go to my parents's house and dig the box with these books out of their basement.
ReplyDelete@amie - :D Good books! And you should definitely check House of Leaves out, it's something very, very different.
ReplyDelete@danya - they are!
@1girl - Me, too. Haven't read his books in some time, but I remember them fondly.
You should! It's very worth it, if you're not afraid of a little 'work'
@Loni - hahaha, I have a box of Fear Street in my mom's storage. This meme made me want to do the same thing! See if they're as good as I remember.
Silent Hill is such a freaky game. I couldn't play it, I got so scared lol. I really need to read House of Leaves! I've been hearing so much about it recently!
ReplyDeleteMy Top Ten
Oooh great list! I loved Silent Hill :D
ReplyDelete@stray - It is! Me, too, but I took breaks and muscled my way through it, because it's so worth it :) You should! It's really good :D
ReplyDelete@Lu - Thanks! Me too :D